Hi <<First Name(s)>>
We trust you're having a great week. We've been speaking up on a number of issues in the last couples of days, plus we'd really appreciate your help to track down the longest married couple in NZ! Read on. Forward to a friend
Search Is On For Longest Married NZ Couple
Media Release 19 November 2015: Family First NZ has launched the inaugural annual search for the
Longest Married Couple in New Zealand. Nominations will be taken until 15 January 2016 with the winners named on 14 February 2016 (Valentine’s Day) to coincide with National Marriage Week.
“This is an opportunity to promote marriage and honour couples who have done the ‘hard yards’. Marriage is a great institution but it requires love and commitment, hard work, and community support. We want to celebrate with couples who are setting the example for younger married couples just starting out,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.
The highly acclaimed activity of recognising couples for their long marriages, which is in its sixth year in the U.S. and third year in Canada, has drawn media attention from around the world. The 2015 U.S. winners, Dale and Alice Rockey of Kansas were married 81 years. In 2014 Harold & Edna Owings of California were recognised for their 82 years of marriage.
Winners will be selected solely from nominations submitted.
The national winners will be recognised on Valentine's Day 2016, which coincides with National Marriage Week which is the second week of February each year. Appropriate gifts - including a family photo shoot - will be presented to them by Family First NZ at a ceremony to be held at the winner's location during Valentine's week.
Nominations which are open to any married couple (either NZ citizen or NZ resident) may be submitted by email admin@familyfirst.org.nz or by posting to Family First NZ, P.O.Box 276-133, Manukau City 2241.
Got a nomination? Let us know! READ MORE
Parent Applauded for Rejecting Sex Ed Programme
Media Release 19 Nov 2015: Family First NZ says that a mother who withdrew her 9-year-old from a sex ed class run by Family Planning should be applauded, and that many more parents would take the same action if they were aware of what is being taught through programmes such as the Sexuality Road programme.
“We will be writing to all schools in NZ to warn them about the content and inappropriateness of this programme and other sex ed programmes being pushed at schools. Family Planning should butt out of schools and should allow and empower parents to educate their own children,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. READ MORE
Comment: If all parents took a closer look at what groups like Family Planning and Rainbow Youth want to pollute your child's mind with under the guide of 'sexuality education', a lot more parents would be taking the same action as this mother! Check out this media release to see examples - but be warned - you may be offended by its content!
Pedophiles’ Register Will Protect Families
Media Release 18 Nov 2015: Family First NZ has made a Submission today to the Select Committee considering the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Register) Bill, and says that a Register will not only protect the public but will also protect child sex offenders from themselves, and that it should be available to the public for serious and repeat offenders.
“How many horrendous cases of sexual abuse of children could have been prevented if the parents or caregivers were aware of the risks beforehand? Should a family be informed of the risk if a recently released pedophile moves into their neighbourhood or next door? We say – of course they should!” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “The prime purpose of the Register is to notify the public, and particularly parents of young children who need to know the background of adults who interact with their children and may place their children at risk. Rehabilitation should be an important focus, but the Register is about protecting both parties from each other.” READ MORE
READ Family First Submission
Media Blasted For Bias In Euthanasia Debate
Media Release 16 November 2015: Family First NZ is welcoming a ruling by the Broadcasting Standards Authority that TVNZ’s Seven Sharp breached broadcasting standards in its recent coverage of the euthanasia issue. Seven Sharp featured the story of a terminally ill woman who was a long-standing voluntary euthanasia campaigner.
“This is not the first time that the state broadcaster has been scolded for bias in its coverage of controversial social issues, but it is a timely reminder that the media must report the facts and broadcast both points of view rather than pushing their own ideology. Unfortunately we had similar issues during the recent same-sex marriage debate,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.
The BSA decision said that coverage of controversial issues should “present significant points of view either in the same programme or in other programmes within the period of current interest” and that this particular programme was “heavily weighted in support of voluntary euthanasia”. READ MORE
And finally, a disturbing story from our friends in Australia as they debate attempts to redefine marriage:
Archbishop investigated for distributing marriage pamphlet
LifeSiteNews 15 November 2015: An Australian Catholic archbishop is facing legal action after recently distributing a pamphlet to local Catholic school children that supported Catholic teaching on marriage being between a man and woman.
The 18-page pamphlet titled “Don’t Mess With Marriage” was put out by the country’s bishops and details the Church’s teaching on sexuality and marriage. The pamphlet states that it is “gravely unjust” to children, adults, and society to redefine marriage to allow for homosexual partnerships to be called “marriage.” READ MORE
Please consider supporting the work of Family First NZ.
Thank you for standing with us.
Bob McCoskrie
National Director
